Today we continue a series of reports we call “Chicago Exports.” So much of the world’s great architecture is designed right here in Chicago by Chicagoans, but it’s not built in Chicagoland so it goes unseen by the hometown crowd. That’s why we are featuring the great works produced by Chicago architects continuing the city’s proud legacy as the birthplace of the skyscraper, and a...

Another building for Chicago’s Near West Side means another chance for you to weigh in on its merits. Twenty-fifth Ward Alderman Danny Solis and the West Loop Community Organization are holding a public meeting on the proposal for 99 South Sangamon, which is the northeast corner of Sangamon and Monroe. The developer wants to put up a 24-story residential block with 193 new homes,...

The South Loop’s residential expansion continues with an official grand opening of The Cooper, Lendlease’s new apartment tower at 720 South Wells Street. The Cooper is the first new residential building going in at Southbank. Four more are coming, as Australia’s Lendlease transforms the former wasteland between Roosevelt Road and River City into a new enclave along the Chicago River. It’s like Lakeshore East,...

If you’ve been itching to move into one of a pair of new residential blocks along the Eisenhower Expressway, near Target, with excellent rail and bus service… you’re gonna need more calamine lotion. 1050 and 1125 West Van Buren are going to the people. Again. The two towers have been in the works since the Romans invaded Gaul, and Julius Caesar predicted the rise of malignant social media with his FaceParchment...

If Magellan Development names a new building “Vista,” it should probably have some decent views. And if that building is located on the Chicago River, those views should be somewhat above average. And if the building is 95 stories tall, the views really almost certainly should be singularly spectacular, right? We’re happy to report: Correct on all counts. Joe Zekas, of YoChicago!, went up to the 70-somethingth...

Yesterday we told you that 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly decided that Related Midwest’s two-tower plan for the space that failed to become the Chicago Spire is a non-starter. The alderman had a fair number of rather significant problems with the plan for 400 North Lake Shore Drive, including traffic, security, the big honking podium, and the mere existence of a hotel. Fortunately, the height of the towers in the project...

In a blocking move that would make Hakeem Olajuwon say, “Oh, snap!” 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly pulled on his Bulls jersey, reached up with political hand spread wide, and blocked a planned supertower in Streeterville. The project in question was 400 North Lake Shore Drive, a pair of skyscrapers at the site of the long-dead Chicago Spire, and the even longer-dead Fordham Spire. If you don’t know what either of...

If you’ve been wondering about Magellan Development’s Vista Tower lately — and we know you have — word on the street is that things are progressing nicely. The Studio Gang-designed residential and hotel tower, which will absolutely positively not look anything at all like three adjacent stacks of Chinese take-out boxes, is already tall enough to look down on former Lakeshore East belle of the ball, Aqua. Aqua was designed...

In its most Oprah-riffic maneuver since the great Skyscraper-palooza of 2014, the Chicago Plan Commission approved a slew of new skyscrapers for the Windy City. In a series of votes today, the commission approved plans for 18 new towers for downtown Chicago. To put that into a completely inaccurate and meaningless comparison, it’s like Chicago just got Indianapolis added to its skyscraper menagerie. 700 at the River The Plan...

If there’s a skyscraper nerd in your office, don’t be surprised if he calls in sick on Thursday. That’s the day the Chicago Plan Commission considers the largest number of new skyscrapers for downtown Chicago since August of 2014, when four new towers were on the docket. This time, there are 11 major buildings in play: 700 at the River in River West 1,500 total residences 497 car parking spaces Total FAR: 8.1...

If you don’t remember us reporting on 808 Wells years ago, that’s OK. This one’s been a long time coming. We last mentioned 808 more than two years ago, when a sales office popped up in the Near North neighborhood. Now called “AMLI 808,” the apartment building has appeared in the Chicago City Clerk’s office, which means its developers are serious about moving forward. This time around, it’s...

If you were disappointed that the plan for 110 North Wacker Drive lost its nice setbacks a few months ago, there’s a consolation prize. Developers Howard Hughes, and Riverside Investment and Development have asked the city if they can add two more floors to the skyscraper. What was originally going to be a 51-story tower, then a 53-story tower, has now become a 55-story tower. That is, if the city gives its blessing. Which it...